What’s not in dispute about Sunday was Celtic’s overwhelming superiority in every aspect of the game. One Newco fan suggested to me that on that showing, only Nir Bitton wouldn’t have got into the Newco (not his word) team. What worked so well for us, despite an array of unenforced errors and poor finishing, was the passing and positional play from our two central defenders.
The jury has been out on Jozo Simunovic since his arrival in the summer of 2015 as we’ve seen so little of him in that time, but he and Erik Sviatchenko were fundamental to our dominance. With both full backs playing high up-field, Jozo and Erik were asked to cover the back line, often taking possession under pressure, but there were no Big Bobo moments.
They were comfortable enough to hold possession while being closed down and play a short passing game. Erik was regularly in the left back position against the touchline, but stuck to task. This meant Celtic could continue to play through periods where passing higher up the park wasn’t as accurate as it could have been.
As a consequence, Mikael Lustig and Kieran Tierney were able to overload wide midfield positions. Whenever possession was lost we were in place to press quickly.
Jozo got a good block on the only genuine chance Newco created all game (caused through an unenforced error in midfield) but apart from that it was difficult to judge any of the defenders on their defensive display, as we weren’t asked to defend for large parts of the day.
Brendan made the decision to let Jozo go to Torino in August, for the deal to fall through. One of his objectives this season will be to go into next summer’s Champions League qualifiers with three central defenders he can rely on (there is less doubt we’ll be in the qualifiers now than at this stage during the last three seasons).
Caveat on Wednesday aside, Kolo Toure has proven to be a great signing (he’s four years older than Philippe Senderos, as a guide), but it will be a while before he or Brendan will discuss next season. If Jozo and Erik remain fit, and with Eoghan O’Connell looking the part, this area of the team is well sorted.
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So here’s the craic…
Me and my mates booked flights and accomodation for the scheduled St. Johnstone match on 26th November at Celtic Park.
I was going to be my mate’s first experience of Celtic Park and was goin to fulfil a dream of his
Anyway…
Celtic, by beating the Zombies on Sunday, have gon and wrecked it!
That is now Cup Final weekend (the Sunday)
Our flight home is around 2 oclock on the Sunday :-(
It seems our only option is to hope against hope for Cup Final tickets and blag a lift on one of the supporters buses back to Ireland
Moussa i will never forgive u….
A thought out of left field. If players are subject to random testing for alcohol/prohibited substances does the same regime apply to the MIBs?
F/T Hamilton 1-0 Sheep
St Stivs,
From earlier on the last article……yer right yer talkin mince:)
Bma
Greenockbhoysrus
Poor McInnes. Hamilton win 1-0
DELANEYS DUNKY on 25TH OCTOBER 2016 9:24 PM
STARRY PLOUGH on 25TH OCTOBER 2016 9:24 PM
BABASONICOS71 on 25TH OCTOBER 2016 9:26 PM
THE EXILED TIM on 25TH OCTOBER 2016 9:27 PM
Thank you all and for anyone I’ve missed its unintentional head fried (nothing new there)
I.m away now people to ring
Be nice to each other we are all Celtic
HH
If we pump the sheep on Saturday is the league over?
C’MON THE CELTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
6 minutes of injury time played for aberdeen, league table looking good
PHILBHOY
isn’t Mr. King going to provide Warbs with a warchest of pure gazillions in January to put them back in their rightful position? Aye right.
HH
Surprised Aberdeen lost tonight.
4 points from our next 2 matches more than acceptable.
Dena
Just on and haven’t had time to read further back than this page.
The prayers are continuing for B, you and all the family.
God Bless and Hail Hail.
YNWA
DENA29
Best wishes for you and your daughter.
XXX
A frightening statistic
https://twitter.com/futballtweets/status/790947618935439360
HT
See you tomorrow up here. Wear warm clothing. :)
Just watched Johnny Depp and Juliette Binoche in Chocolat .
Johnny plays an Irish river gypsy with the Irish tricolor hanging from the back of his boat … belter
PS Juliette … tres gorgeous
AN TEACH SOLAIS
If Mr King says he is going to spend £30,000,000 to make ra*ger8 a force in world football who am I to suggest otherwise?
Dena- all the best HH
Bhoylo83: There was a fair few over from Ireland in the same situation on Sunday. Hopefully, you will get tickets.
PHILBHOY
Aye we can but await developments with bated breath. Lol. But the table does look good tonight 4 points ahead with two games in hand.
HH
Dons result leaves us 4 clear with 2 games in hand !!!!
DD
See you tomorrow G. Long johns at the ready! :-)
!!BADA BING!! on 25TH OCTOBER 2016 9:45 PM
A frightening statistic
https://twitter.com/futballtweets/status/790947618935439360
——-
Had the pleasure of watching them play together twice, truly phenomenal. Their quality goes without saying but what makes them great is their unselfishness and team ethic. For me it will be an unbelievable privilege to watch them at Celtic Park, regardless of the result.
Ps. Leigh has that same unselfishness, it rubbing off on Moussa, slowly.
Thetimreaper- agree, will be something special to see them at CP
HT
Just set a coupla deluded Ross shire bluenoses straight about affairs at doomdome. ” I’ve never read that in the Record, or Sun.” One said.
Nice but dim blokes.
Almore
Fingers and toes crossed bhuddy
B-)
Delaney’s, good result for Chris’ team on the astroturf at Airdrie.
The local sevs would have been educated by you tonight. Did you tell them their children or grandchildren will be County or Celtic fans?
Bada Bing
was that the stats against us
Feels like it
: > (
Just popped in to say
Dena29
Brilliant news, prayers said for the whole family. Great to hear good news after my horrific week. See you and MWD on the 5th v ICT. HH
Dallas
They were delighted wi the Dons score tonight. Hearts are gonnae lose at Rugby Park tomorrow, the sevs are gonnae destroy Saint Johnstone and Walter Cardigan is coming to their rescue again. Kevin Bridges hisnae a look in wi these highland comedians.
Does mcinnes have a idea how many sheeplovers where at Hamilton the nicht.
Re: sevco cakes , wis in asda one day 3 or 4 of them on shelf, asked Mrs st if she had her bingo dabbers wi her, whit colour she asked, the green was my reply.
Planted RIP on them all!!.
Yer 54 going on 9 she quipped!.
30 years the gither, and she still disnae git it!!.
DD
More to be pitied than scorned mate.
I probably won’t get to the ground until about 7:30pm so dinnae be panicking and buying a brief from someone else! :-)
BENDIGO on 25TH OCTOBER 2016 7:30 PM
http://www.independent.ie/life/family/family-features/my-husband-died-24-hours-after-our-wedding-wife-of-celtic-fan-embarks-on-epic-journey-35160300.html
_______________________________________
A very moving yet uplifting piece!
KTF
Work really busy so haven’t been posting as much recently. However reading the blog tonight there was some good news from Dena and now VFR has posted a link to a sad but uplifting story!
The football this season has been a real joy to watch and like many others I now look forward very eagerly to our next game, no matter who it is against.
However for all the enjoyment the Tic give us, we should always remember that family and friends come first. So great news about Dena’s wee one and hat off to Sian for her charity work after her heart breaking loss!
HH
Delaney’s, I would rather the Dons won tonight as they will view our game with them on Saturday as a way to get back on track Mcinnes and Shinnie will be at their greetin faced worse when we play them.
The Dons were rotten against Morton but will no doubt be up for it on Saturday.
The sevs in Dingwall sound as deluded as the rest of them.
Enjoy your trip and it’s a good game at Victoria Park tomorrow might. I hope Liam Boyce isn’t playing.
Bbed time for me now.
Good night all and sleep well.
An Tearmann,
From earlier,
Crerand and Gallagher are cousins.
Dena, good to hear.
HH
Dena.
Glad to hear some good news. Hope things continue to improve.